Empower and Educate Guatemalan Teens!

Our story

Guatemalan youth in crisis:

In recent years, the situation for Guatemala’s youth has become increasingly perilous. In 2018, over 50,000 Guatemalans travelling as families were apprehended at the U.S. border as they fled extreme and intractable poverty, hunger, climate change and violence. In the urban barrios of Guatemala City, over half of all children are chronically malnourished. Only four out of ten teens will graduate high school, forcing the majority of the community’s youth into grossly underpaid jobs or even criminal activity, where they may fall victim to a child-murder rate that is ten times greater than in the U.S.

Hope and Empowerment:

Peronia Adolescente/Teen Peronia is a Guatemalan youth-founded and operated grassroots non-profit. Since 2004, the organization has worked with local youth, families, schools and community leaders to bring hope and opportunity to Peronia teens. Peronia Adolescente consistently delivers comprehensive educational opportunities including scholarships, tutoring, support groups and creative arts programming. Through an innovative methodology, Peronia Adolescente teens are trained in youth leadership and civic participation and give back to their community through volunteering, public art and performance and local campaigns for child and adolescent protection and rights.

Call to action:

Since day one, Peronia Adolescente has rented a space in the community to offer its services at no cost to local families. This year, the owners of the rented building that we currently occupy are selling the property, and they have asked the organization to either buy it or leave by fall of 2019. We are convinced that investing in the purchase of this property is a powerful and strategic decision that will strengthen the group’s impact and reach and will provide long-term access to education, support and culture for generations of youth to come.

Long-term impact

If at-risk Peronia teens have continued access to a safe and permanent youth center in their community they will be able to pursue higher education, break generational cycles of poverty and participate in the construction of a culture of peace and youth rights in their community.

How you can support:

Donate! We are urgently seeking donations of any amount towards our 25,000 USD Phase One goal (we have given ourselves the goal of raising half of the total $50,000 needed for the project during this current 45 day campaign). The Strachan Foundation has generously pledged $12,000 in matching donations;for every $2 you donate, they will give $1 towards the cause! 100% of the funds raised will go towards the purchase of the property

Pledge your continued support: Consider becoming a monthly donor

Help us spread the word! Even if you can’t donate now, please share this campaign via social media, letter writing, newsletters and within your local community.

Join our support team! Volunteer your expertise, guidance and time to the youth of Peronia by helping us with strategic planning, communications, organizational strengthening and continued fundraising efforts. Please contact Anna Hadingham (anna.hadingham@gmail.com) for more information.

Updates

06/21/2019

Why support Peronia Adolescente?
Because art and expression are human rights
Because borders shouldn’t determine the value of human life.
Because another world is possible.

Why support Peronia Adolescente?Because art and expression are human rightsBecause borders shouldn't determine the value of human life.Because another world is possible.Please donate today: https://hipgive.org/project/empower-and-educate-guatemalan-teens/

With the support of 65 generous donors, we are almost a quarter of the way there! Be a part of the fight for change, opportunity and freedom of expression for Guatemalan teens and donate today! Your donation will be matched!

Jaime is a young teenager who has grown up participating in Peronia Adolescente’s educational, artistic and leadership programs. After five years of participating in both formal and alternative academic training, he has developed critical thinking skills that drive him to continue dreaming and to fight for a dignified life despite of the economic anxiety in which he lives. Today “Titi” as his friends know him, is an example of a youth participant that needs a Community Cultural Center that continues allowing him to achieve the maximum potential of his academic, psychological and artistic abilities.

Givers

Cathryn Henning

Thanking for offering these opportunities and connections to our youth.

R

Russell and Robin Glass

Buena suerte!

A

Anonymous

Ana Maria

C

Cameron MacPherson

Love the work you do, Anna. I hope this helps further your mission!!

E

Eric B.

Thank you for your inspiring work.

A

Annika and Ryan

Good luck, Anna and everyone at Peronia Adolescente!
Ryan & Annika

T

Tony Johnson

All love!

Y

Yaelle & Quincy

Adelante Guatemala!

A

Ada

Guate p'adelante

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Natalie Lurowist

Hope this helps -- what a wonderful and important organization!

S

Susan Greenleaf

Your presentation yesterday was outstanding!

S

Sheena McNeal

"Don't ask what the world needs,
Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it.
Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."
- Howard Thurman

S

Sara

I really hope you make your total Anna! Have shared with a few friends and will share on social media soon.

H

Henry and Meg

Anna,
Your efforts really make such a difference to the people and program so close to your heart!

E

Elizabeth Benjamin-Alcayaga

Ojalá que todo salga bien - ¡suerte!

K

Kim Robb

Anna, we are happy to donate to your very special cause. This is obviously a passion that you are very tightly involved in - we wish you and the Guatemalan teens the best and we hope the building will become a reality very soon!

J

Jackie

Thanks, Anna. Happy to contribute to this cause.
Jackie

M

Melissa Pond

Thank you for the work that you do! I am inspired and impressed with the dedication and commitment!!!
Melissa & Josh

K

Karen Garrett Kramer

For Peronia!

E

Emma Williams

From Emma and Dakota. Good luck hope this incredible organization can buy this permanent space and keep doing the good work

J

Julianne + Lucas

Excited to support such a great cause 💜

G

Gabe

This project is amazing - so excited with everything Peronia Adolescente has been doing, and will keep doing!

D

David Greenleaf

Anna,
You are terrific. I wish you super success with your project.

A

Anonymous

Anna - we are so proud of your continued work in this very important cause! Hope you hit your goal! xoxo

C

Cathy

Thank you for all that you do to make the world a better place.

U

UU First Parish of Wayland Social Action Council, Rummage Queens and Women's Alliance

This donation was made from proceeds from the 2019 Rummage Sale, made possible by the work of many generous UU volunteers. The Rummage proceeds support various local and global efforts to promote equality, dignity, nonviolence and access to education where it is needed most.

E

Emily Goldstein

You are an inspiration Anna! You have done so much for Peronia Adolescente and I hope that this project succeeds!

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Jackie Johnson

❤️

A

Anonymous

Go Guatemalan teens!

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Sarah M Greenleaf

For Peronia!

M

Matt Carney

Time to rally!

L

Liz Love

Go, Anna! Thanks for your fundraising and advocacy for PA! The purchase of the PA building will create a long-term, safe and creative space for so many, and I'm proud to help make it a reality!

Sam Sands

Anna

Doug Anderson

I've been to Peronia and seen firsthand how much of an impact Peronia Adolescente has on the young people in this community.

J

Janet Hadingham

I am happy to donate, knowing this is a well-run program that helps young people in Peronia to focus on positive activities that strengthen their community.

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Cath

Anita!!! Suerte! I know how much of your heart is in Peronia and everyone I have had the pleasure of meeting reflects what a wonderful project and comunidad it is!! Te quiero amiga!

C

Christine Clancy

What an amazing goal, Anna! So generous of you to put together this project.

A

Alex

So happy to contribute to an amazing project. Thank you for doing such important work, Anna.

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Steven Nisenbaum

Best Wishes for your successful project

D

Deborah Stubeda

Thank you for doing this important work. Education and leadership programs like this help stop the cycle of poverty and decrease the need to migrate.

J

José E Salazar

Keep up the good work!

J

Jenny

I have had the honor to witness this organization do amazing work with the local community. This program changes lives through inspiring teens to find their voice with art and in community. I wholeheartedly encourage everyone to support this incredible program.

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Rhonda McCune

Rhonda McCune
Bravo Anna for truly acting to make a difference. Such beautiful humanity.